Europe Must Invest Heavily in Defense to Secure Transatlantic Alliance
Amid growing transatlantic divisions, a Belfer Center task force urges Europe to significantly increase defense spending to 3 percent of GDP, enhance military readiness, and acquire strategic assets, while urging the U.S. to reaffirm its commitment to NATO and improve armament cooperation.
Europe Must Invest Heavily in Defense to Secure Transatlantic Alliance
Amid growing transatlantic divisions, a Belfer Center task force urges Europe to significantly increase defense spending to 3 percent of GDP, enhance military readiness, and acquire strategic assets, while urging the U.S. to reaffirm its commitment to NATO and improve armament cooperation.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Mitsotakis Urges Decisive EU Action Amidst Geopolitical Shifts
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called for decisive EU action at the March 20-21 European Council meeting to address geopolitical shifts, emphasizing increased defense spending and a unified response to the Ukraine crisis, while a meeting between the Greek foreign minister and Marco Rubio i...
Mitsotakis Urges Decisive EU Action Amidst Geopolitical Shifts
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called for decisive EU action at the March 20-21 European Council meeting to address geopolitical shifts, emphasizing increased defense spending and a unified response to the Ukraine crisis, while a meeting between the Greek foreign minister and Marco Rubio i...
Progress
36% Bias Score
Singapore Highlights US Military Buildup as Factor in South China Sea Tensions
Singapore's Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen's speeches at the Munich Security Conference and Young Leaders Roundtable presented a balanced view of US-China tensions in Southeast Asia, highlighting the US military buildup as a key factor prompting increased Chinese naval activity.
Singapore Highlights US Military Buildup as Factor in South China Sea Tensions
Singapore's Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen's speeches at the Munich Security Conference and Young Leaders Roundtable presented a balanced view of US-China tensions in Southeast Asia, highlighting the US military buildup as a key factor prompting increased Chinese naval activity.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Pentagon Faces 8% Annual Budget Cuts Amidst Internal Administration Conflict
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the US military to prepare for an 8% annual budget cut over the next five years, except for border security, contradicting President Trump's support for a $100 billion increase in defense spending and Hegseth's own recent statements, creating significant intern...
Pentagon Faces 8% Annual Budget Cuts Amidst Internal Administration Conflict
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the US military to prepare for an 8% annual budget cut over the next five years, except for border security, contradicting President Trump's support for a $100 billion increase in defense spending and Hegseth's own recent statements, creating significant intern...
Progress
56% Bias Score
Spain Defies US, NATO Pressure on Defense Spending
The Spanish government refuses to increase its defense spending to 5 percent of GDP, defying pressure from the US and NATO; it plans to increase spending to 1.32 percent this year and 2 percent by 2029, while the opposition criticizes this stance for damaging Spain's international relations.
Spain Defies US, NATO Pressure on Defense Spending
The Spanish government refuses to increase its defense spending to 5 percent of GDP, defying pressure from the US and NATO; it plans to increase spending to 1.32 percent this year and 2 percent by 2029, while the opposition criticizes this stance for damaging Spain's international relations.
Progress
60% Bias Score
Macron Convenes European Leaders Amidst US-Russia Ukraine Talks, Revealing Divisions on Security Guarantees
French President Macron hosted European leaders in Paris on Monday to coordinate a response to US President Trump's independent talks with Russia on Ukraine, revealing divisions among European nations on security guarantees for Ukraine and prompting discussions on increased defense spending and a po...
Macron Convenes European Leaders Amidst US-Russia Ukraine Talks, Revealing Divisions on Security Guarantees
French President Macron hosted European leaders in Paris on Monday to coordinate a response to US President Trump's independent talks with Russia on Ukraine, revealing divisions among European nations on security guarantees for Ukraine and prompting discussions on increased defense spending and a po...
Progress
40% Bias Score
Taiwan Rejects Trump's Chip Theft Accusation, Blames China
Taiwan's National Security Council secretary-general rejected U.S. President Trump's accusation that Taiwan stole the U.S. microchip business, blaming China instead, while Taiwan explores a US$7-10 billion defense equipment purchase from the U.S. amid political opposition and threats of high tariffs...
Taiwan Rejects Trump's Chip Theft Accusation, Blames China
Taiwan's National Security Council secretary-general rejected U.S. President Trump's accusation that Taiwan stole the U.S. microchip business, blaming China instead, while Taiwan explores a US$7-10 billion defense equipment purchase from the U.S. amid political opposition and threats of high tariffs...
Progress
40% Bias Score
Germany's New Government Faces Major Foreign Policy Challenges
Facing reduced US security guarantees, Germany's new government will significantly increase defense spending, potentially doubling its budget by 2028, and reassess its foreign policy, including its relationship with China and its role in the Ukraine conflict, leading to a more assertive geopolitical...
Germany's New Government Faces Major Foreign Policy Challenges
Facing reduced US security guarantees, Germany's new government will significantly increase defense spending, potentially doubling its budget by 2028, and reassess its foreign policy, including its relationship with China and its role in the Ukraine conflict, leading to a more assertive geopolitical...
Progress
44% Bias Score
Spain Rejects US Pressure for Increased NATO Defense Spending
Spain's government rejected US President Trump's call to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, planning instead to reach 2% by 2029, a decision criticized by the opposition for jeopardizing its international alliances.
Spain Rejects US Pressure for Increased NATO Defense Spending
Spain's government rejected US President Trump's call to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, planning instead to reach 2% by 2029, a decision criticized by the opposition for jeopardizing its international alliances.
Progress
56% Bias Score
Pentagon Redirects $50 Billion in Funds
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a $50 billion (8%) reallocation of Pentagon funds for fiscal year 2026, shifting resources from Biden-era programs towards President Trump's security priorities, targeting climate initiatives and bureaucracy, as announced by the Pentagon on February 24th.
Pentagon Redirects $50 Billion in Funds
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a $50 billion (8%) reallocation of Pentagon funds for fiscal year 2026, shifting resources from Biden-era programs towards President Trump's security priorities, targeting climate initiatives and bureaucracy, as announced by the Pentagon on February 24th.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Netherlands' Limited Military Capacity Highlights Recurring Pattern of Under-Investment in Defense
Following decades of post-Cold War budget cuts, the Netherlands' military capacity is severely limited, hindering its potential contribution to a Ukraine peacekeeping force and highlighting a recurring pattern of prioritizing economic interests over defense preparedness, despite historical vulnerabi...
Netherlands' Limited Military Capacity Highlights Recurring Pattern of Under-Investment in Defense
Following decades of post-Cold War budget cuts, the Netherlands' military capacity is severely limited, hindering its potential contribution to a Ukraine peacekeeping force and highlighting a recurring pattern of prioritizing economic interests over defense preparedness, despite historical vulnerabi...
Progress
36% Bias Score
EU Divided on Ukraine Peacekeeping Troops
European leaders failed to reach a consensus on sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine after a three-hour emergency meeting in Paris, highlighting divisions within the EU and dependence on US support, following recent US questioning of European security commitments.
EU Divided on Ukraine Peacekeeping Troops
European leaders failed to reach a consensus on sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine after a three-hour emergency meeting in Paris, highlighting divisions within the EU and dependence on US support, following recent US questioning of European security commitments.
Progress
48% Bias Score